If you don't mind using jQuery you can use the code bellow:
<script>
$(document).ready(function(){
$("#department").val("${requestScope.selectedDepartment}").attr('selected', 'selected');
});
</script>
<select id="department" name="department">
<c:forEach var="item" items="${dept}">
<option value="${item.key}">${item.value}</option>
</c:forEach>
</select>
In the your Servlet add the following:
request.setAttribute("selectedDepartment", YOUR_SELECTED_DEPARTMENT );